There are many occupations that place employees at serious risk of chemical exposure, noise exposure and other dangerous conditions that could result in cancer, hearing loss, other diseases or damages. At The Law Office of Christian D. Chesson, we have experience in cases involving injuries and occupational diseases, including toxic exposure in the workplace.

Our legal team will begin an immediate investigation of any injury or occupational disease, identifying every responsible party. To protect your rights and increase your opportunities for compensation, please contact us for an immediate free consultation.

Executive officer cases/Pre October 1, 1976 Exposure

In Louisiana, workers exposed to cancer causing agents, such as asbestos, benzene, vinyl; chloride, as well as other materials have a unique action which involves liability due to executive officers’ responsibilities to workers. We provide representation to clients in “Executive Officer” cases involving employees who have been exposed to toxic chemicals due to the negligence of upper level management or corporate executives. Our attorneys have extensive experience in pursuing maximum compensation for personal injury clients in cases involving asbestos exposure, benzene exposure, vinyl chloride and other cancer causing agents. We take special pride in the work that we have done for families whose loved ones have been exposed to cancer causing agents that resulted in contraction of mesothelioma or leukemia.

Occupations at Risk of Disease

Plant workers, especially operators, tanker cleaners and other workers who load or unload vinyl chloride railcars, are at risk of occupational disease. Many of these workers have complained of dizziness – and in some cases have even passed out – due to excessive chemical exposure. Contact us if you have suffered suspicious symptoms or have reason to believe that you have been exposed to toxic chemicals.

Fabricators who make vinyl chloride consumer products like shower curtains or automobile upholstery may be at risk of disease or injury. As vinyl chloride plastic is heated or fabricated to make consumer products, it releases chemicals such as vinyl chloride, which can accumulate at harmful levels in the body.

Railroad and other transportation workers who transport petroleum or petrochemicals by truck, railroad, barge or ship may have been exposed to disease-causing hazards. Railroad workers can be exposed to vinyl chloride, benzene and other toxic chemicals because the railcars used to transport these materials can leak, causing toxic chemicals to become airborne. But, the most frequent form of overexposure is in the loading and unloading of petrochemicals into or out of railcars, trucks, ships and barges. Even after unloading is complete, chemicals can remain in the vessel. When the railcar, ship or barge is cleaned or reloaded, the residual vinyl chloride, benzene or other chemicals become displaced and can cause overexposure.

Beauticians who worked prior to 1974 were subjected to toxic exposure and disease. Vinyl chloride was used to propel hairspray from cans. This resulted in high levels of exposure to beauticians and hair stylists who worked in this industry. By some estimates, beauticians were exposed to vinyl chloride at hundreds of times above the legal limit (1ppm).

It is now well established that there are no safe levels of exposure to vinyl chloride.